The Opening Round of voting in the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) of Elgin’s third annual edition of Downtown Madness – the DNA’s award-winning, month-long, social media driven restaurant and bar promotion tips off this Thursday, March 14. “Signature dishes” from Elgin area eateries and pubs – both downtown and “crosstown” – will again be competing for your votes in a March Madness-style bracket tournament where the public chooses the winners round-by-round until a champion is crowned.

The 2013 installment of Downtown Madness: Downtown vs. Crosstown expands from 16 participating “teams” to a total this year of 32: 16 Downtown Elgin eateries vs. 16 Crosstown Elgin eateries. Downtown and Crosstown bracket entries compete against each other through four rounds of online voting before one finalists each from both sides of the bracket square off in the Championship Round of voting which ends on April 8, the night of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament’s championship game. The winner receives the honor of displaying the Downtown Madness traveling trophy for one year as well as a Blue Level Sponsorship in the 2013 City of Elgin 4th of July Parade.

The Elgin Eat 16 punch card promotion also returns with some new surprises. Now thru April 8, voters can pick up Elgin Eat 16 punch card tickets and obtain punches for trying the various “signature dishes” at any of the participating restaurants. Obtain 8 punches in the “Elgin Elite Ate” to receive a Downtown Madness mini basketball. Obtain 16 punches in the “Elgin Eat 16” for a chance to take a shot at winning big prizes at our Downtown Madness Trophy Presentation on April 9.

The 2013 Downtown Madness bracket with the complete list of participating “signature dishes” will be revealed on March 14 in the Downtown Madness Selection Show on the DNA’s YouTube Channel, on the DNA’s website at www.DowntownElgin.com and the brand new Downtown Madness website: www.ElginDowntownMadness.com.

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Jennifer Fukala on Elgin Today

A Special thanks to Mayor David Kaptain for inviting our Executive Director, Jennifer Fukala, to join him for an interview with Jeffery Myers to discuss the many positive happenings and events Elgin has to offer. Please watch the whole video or if you're short on time, catch Jennifer around the 13 minute mark. Thank you!

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